Odor Advisory Near Salton Sea
Thursday 28 August 2014 01:22:00 PM
Location: Salton Sea, CA, United States
Categorie: Bad air Quality Conditions
Description:
SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT SCAQMD Issues Odor Advisory due to Elevated Hydrogen Sulfide Levels Near Salton Sea Issued Thursday, August 28, 2014 The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an odor advisory today for the Coachella Valley due to elevated levels of a gas that smells like rotten eggs. That gas – hydrogen sulfide – is associated with natural processes occurring in the Salton Sea. Hourly average concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) peaked last night at 31 parts per billion immediately downwind of the Salton Sea – at a monitor close to the shore, in an area with little population. The levels then quickly dropped to the normal range. The monitor in Mecca, a more populated community further downwind, did not exceeded the state standard of 30 parts per billion. High H2S levels are not expected today, but if southeasterly winds do occur, areas in the Coachella Valley may briefly experience the odors. The state standard for outdoor levels of hydrogen sulfide is 30 parts per billion averaged over one hour. At that level individuals may experience symptoms such as headaches and nausea. However, the symptoms associated with this level of exposure are temporary and do not cause any long-term health effects. Humans can detect hydrogen sulfide odors at extremely low concentrations, down to a few parts per billion. SCAQMD monitors hydrogen sulfide at two locations in the southeastern Coachella Valley – one very close to the Salton Sea and the other in the community of Mecca. There is potential for Salton Sea odors to occur as the winds shift, especially in the late summer months in the early morning and late afternoon, or as thunderstorms occur. More information on Hydrogen Sulfide can be found at the following link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxguides/toxguide-114.pdf SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. SCAQMD Advisory updates can be found at the following link: ftp://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/Advisory.pdf To subscribe to air quality alerts, advisories and forecasts by email, go to AirAlerts.org